Living in Key West
7 ways to move here
Why would you leave?
North to Miami? Nope
The things no one tells Key West homeowners


Hidden charms and frustrating secrets
Locals’ tips for island homes
Living in Key West: Part 3: Cat hair, garbage cans, fresh water conchs
It doesn’t take a degree in demographics and a passion for data dumps to know when Key West’s snowbirds arrive. Lights in that once dark house come on at dusk. There are peals of laughter across the fence line and the rumble of interesting conversations of which I can...
Outside cleanup in Key West | Power washer or generator? Pick one
Twice a year Ranger Ed and I give into the temptation to whine about living in Key West. Welcome to the semi-annual outside cleanup. Up north y'all call it "opening the pool" or "getting ready for winter." Rake leaves; mulch plants; test the snow blower; shock (or...
Key West rain | Just dry season or is there a drought?
I'm not alone in grinning when I read a weather forecast that calls for rain. Or when I get up to promisingly heavy cloudy skies. Dadgummit! It could rain today. One needs only eyeballs to confirm it's been darn dry the past three months. It's dusty. Everything is...
What’s it really like to live here?
Key West rain | Just dry season or is there a drought?
I'm not alone in grinning when I read a weather forecast that calls for rain. Or when I get up to promisingly heavy cloudy skies. Dadgummit! It could rain today. One needs only eyeballs to confirm it's been darn dry the past three months. It's dusty. Everything is...
Outside cleanup in Key West | Power washer or generator? Pick one
Twice a year Ranger Ed and I give into the temptation to whine about living in Key West. Welcome to the semi-annual outside cleanup. Up north y'all call it "opening the pool" or "getting ready for winter." Rake leaves; mulch plants; test the snow blower; shock (or...
Key West hurricane prep | Part 1: Let’s get started
June is hurricane prep time in Key West. With so much hurricane prep info floating around, here’s what you REALLY need to know.
Living in Key West: Part 3: Cat hair, garbage cans, fresh water conchs
It doesn’t take a degree in demographics and a passion for data dumps to know when Key West’s snowbirds arrive. Lights in that once dark house come on at dusk. There are peals of laughter across the fence line and the rumble of interesting conversations of which I can...
Living in Key West: Let’s treat each other gently
The humidity this morning in the Shenandoah Valley is 47 percent, which Accuweather says is "ideal." Are they freaking nuts? Get me back to Key West, give me 20 points more and I might agree. Ranger Ed and I have been off-island for a week, visiting family scattered...
Key West parking stickers | The coveted island badge you just have to have
Let's get the headline out of the way first: If you're reading this on Saturday, Oct. 30, in the Key West Citizen, you have one more day before your residential parking sticker expires. Technically. You've got two choices: Panic and head to social media for an outrage...